Venezuela election could trigger deeper sanctions, exiles

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CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The Venezuelan government’s decision to plow ahead with early presidential elections over the objections of the opposition risks spurring more international sanctions and exacerbating an economic and social crisis driving increasing numbers of Venezuelans into exile, analysts said Thursday.

Opposition politicians were meeting the day after officials announced the April 22 vote, deciding whether to challenge socialist President Nicolas Maduro in an election that several foreign nations have already vowed not to recognize — or to boycott it.

They accuse Maduro’s government of rigging recent elections and making a fair race impossible, in part by barring the most popular opposition parties and candidates. International condemnation of the snap election has begun pouring in.

Once among Latin America’s wealthiest countries, oil-rich Venezuela is in a deepening crisis marked by soaring inflation and food shortages.

But analysts say massive street protests are unlikely to re-ignite because many were frightened by the government’s brutal response to unrest last year. They say people are more inclined to abandon their native country than risk jail or death.

The real pressure driving change could come from the United States and possibly European nations, targeting Venezuela’s oil exports. Maduro’s government relies on that cash flow the oil provides to maintain power inside his government, especially military support.

“When you run out of money, your friends become your enemies,” said Diego Moya-Ocampos, a Venezuelan analyst with the London-based consulting firm IHS Markit. “That could be a game changer.”

Election officials loyal to Maduro moved swiftly Wednesday to set a date for the early presidential election, acting just hours after a breakdown in talks between the government and opposition over how to conduct the vote.

Venezuela traditionally has held its presidential elections late in the year, and the United States along with several countries in Europe and Latin America condemn the rushed vote, saying it undercuts political negotiations and is unfair to the opposition.

“If the government wasn’t afraid of a free election, it would have no choice but to sign our document, which is based on Venezuela’s laws,” said Julio Borges, opposition leader at the talks.

The vote also might prompt the U.S. to follow through on a threat to cut off oil shipments from Venezuela, which is an OPEC nation.

While Venezuela has diversified its exports in recent years, it still depends heavily on shipments to the U.S., where several refineries are designed to handle Venezuela’s heavy crude.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who just finished a tour of the region, said he was more favorable now to the idea of oil sanctions because the situation in Venezuela has steadily worsened.

The ultimate decision will be left to President Donald Trump, he said.

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement Thursday that the snap election date denies the opposition its ability to take part in the electoral process.

“The Maduro regime continues to dismantle Venezuela’s democracy and reveals its authoritarian rule,” she said. “It is unfortunate the Maduro regime is not courageous enough to contest elections on a level playing field.”

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza railed against Tillerson’s Latin America tour via Twitter, saying it was aimed at shoring up support among “ruling elites” in the region against Venezuela.

Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court announced that it is opening preliminary probes into alleged crimes by police and security forces in Venezuela stemming from violent clashes last year with protesters.

It will look at allegations that since April 2017 government forces “frequently used excessive force to disperse and put down demonstrations” and abused some opposition members in detention.

Underscoring the impact of Venezuela’s crisis on its neighbors, Colombia announced Thursday that it will tighten the countries’ porous shared border as thousands of migrants flee the deteriorating country.

Visiting a border city, President Juan Manuel Santos had harsh criticism of Maduro’s leadership, calling the flood into Colombia a “tragedy.”

“I want to reiterate to President Maduro: This is the result of your policies. Not Colombia’s. And your refusal to accept the aid we have offered you,” Santos said.

Back in Venezuela’s capital of Caracas, Isabel Sanchez was among roughly 200 people who protested to vent frustration over the shortage in and soaring cost of medicine.

Sanchez said her husband worked as a police officer, but died because he couldn’t get the medicine he needed. Many people have left Venezuela, but not Sanchez.

“We have to stay here in Venezuela, because the struggle is here,” she said, urging young people to resist the urge to flee. “If we leave, that’s what the government wants.”